Off the wall: incidental paraspinal and pelvic muscle pathology on abdominopelvic imaging.

As the use of cross-sectional abdominal and pelvic imaging has increased exponentially in the past several decades, incidental musculoskeletal findings have become commonplace. These are often unrelated to the indication for the examination and are frequently referred to as the "radiologist's blind spot" on these studies. The differential diagnosis for abnormalities of the paraspinal and pelvic musculature is, in many cases, quite different from the anterior abdominal wall muscles.

Non-contrast and portal venous phase computed tomography in breast cancer hepatic metastases: comparison of tumor measurements and impact on response assessment.

Background: For many common malignancies, including breast cancer, evaluation for metastatic disease using multiphase computed tomography (CT) has fallen out of favor and been replaced by studies performed only in the portal venous phase. However, differences in tumor vascularity could produce differences in appearance on post-contrast imaging.

Purpose: To assess non-contrast phase and portal venous phase computed tomography in detection and measurement of hepatic metastases from breast carcinoma.

Combined Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Low-Attenuation Renal Lesions Improves Identification of Renal Malignancy on Noncontrast Computed Tomography.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess renal lesions measuring less than 20 Hounsfield units (HU) on noncontrast computed tomography (NCT).

Methods: Twenty-one (18.1%) of 116 consecutive pathologically proven renal cell carcinomas measured less than 20 HU on NCT and were compared with 40 confirmed benign cysts also measuring less than 20 HU.

Impact of low-kVp scan technique on oral contrast density at abdominopelvic CT.

Purpose: To assess quantitative and qualitative effects of kVp on oral contrast density.

Materials And Methods: Three readers retrospectively reviewed 100 CT scans performed at a range of high- and low-energy settings, independently determining their preferred window and level settings for evaluation of the oral-contrast-opacified bowel. Contrast density was also assessed quantitatively in the stomach, jejunum, and ileum.

Acute Appendicitis Involving a De Garengeot Hernia.

We present a case of appendicitis within a De Garengeot hernia. The patient presented to the emergency department with 4 days of worsening abdominal pain. Computed tomography examination revealed an inflamed appendix within a femoral hernia.

Differentiating biliary cystadenomas from benign hepatic cysts: Preliminary analysis of new predictive imaging features.

Objective: To identify performance of imaging features in differentiating hepatic cysts from biliary cystadenomas of the liver.

Methods: 25 pathologically confirmed hepatic cystic lesions (hepatic cysts or biliary cystadenomas) were evaluated retrospectively and predetermined imaging features assessed for performance in differentiation.

Results: Any septation which arose from a cyst wall without external indentation had a very high association with biliary cystadenoma, while the presence of a thick septation had only a moderate association.

Use of Low-Fidelity Simulation Laboratory Training for Teaching Radiology Residents CT-Guided Procedures.

Purpose: To determine the benefit of the addition of low-fidelity simulation-based training to the standard didactic-based training in teaching radiology residents common CT-guided procedures.

Methods: This was a prospective study involving 24 radiology residents across all years in a university program. All residents underwent standard didactic lecture followed by low-fidelity simulation-based training on three common CT-guided procedures: random liver biopsy, lung nodule biopsy, and drain placement.

Effect of Direct Marketing for Uterine Artery Embolization on Rates of Leiomyomas, Incidental Findings, and Management After Pelvic MRI.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether a self-referred population screened by an interventional radiology (IR) clinic and a non-IR, physician-referred population differed with regard to suitability for uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic leiomyomas on the basis of preprocedure MRI.

Methods: This was an institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study of 301 women evaluated in an IR clinic for possible UAE from January 2009 to September 2012. Subjects were retrospectively divided into two groups: self-referred via direct marketing (group A, n = 203; mean age, 41.

Optimization of window settings for virtual monoenergetic imaging in dual-energy CT of the liver: A multi-reader evaluation of standard monoenergetic and advanced imaged-based monoenergetic datasets.

Objectives: To evaluate optimal window settings for display of virtual monoenergetic reconstructions in third-generation dual-source, dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) of the liver.

Methods: Twenty-nine subjects were prospectively evaluated with DECT in arterial (AP) and portal venous (PVP) phases. Three reconstructed datasets were calculated: standard linearly-blended (LB120), 70-keV standard virtual monoenergetic (M70), and 50-keV advanced image-based virtual monoenergetic (M50+).

Application of an Advanced Image-Based Virtual Monoenergetic Reconstruction of Dual Source Dual-Energy CT Data at Low keV Increases Image Quality for Routine Pancreas Imaging.

Purpose: To compare image quality on contrast-enhanced dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) during the pancreatic parenchymal phase of pancreatic masses between linearly-blended simulated 120 kVp images (routine) and advanced image-based virtual monoenergetic reconstructions at 55 keV.

Methods: This was a retrospective evaluation of 24 nonconsecutive adults found to have a focal pancreatic mass on a multiphasic abdominal dual-source DECT (12 adenocarcinoma, 5 neuroendocrine, 7 cystic tumors). For pancreatic-parenchymal phase images, subjects had routine and 55 keV images reconstructed at the time of clinical evaluation.

Comparison of High-Fidelity Simulation Versus Didactic Instruction as a Reinforcement Intervention in a Comprehensive Curriculum for Radiology Trainees in Learning Contrast Reaction Management: Does It Matter How We Refresh?

Rationale And Objectives: Simulation-based training has been shown to be a useful adjunct to standard didactic lecture in teaching residents appropriate management of adverse contrast reactions. In addition, it has been suggested that a biannual refresher is needed; however, the type of refresher education has not been assessed.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study involving 31 radiology residents across all years in a university program.

Increased renal cyst density on abdominal CT at 100-kVp compared with 120-kVp: a preliminary evaluation.

Objective: To compare the radiographic density of renal cysts on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans performed at tube voltages of 100 versus 120 kVp.

Methods: Thirty-six renal cysts from contrast-enhanced CT performed on 21 subjects at both 120 kVp and 100 kVp were compared by Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical testing.

Results: The radiographic density (mean+/-standard deviation in Hounsfield units) of cysts was greater on 100-kVp than on 120-kVp CT scans for both 5-mm and 2-mm reconstructed slice thicknesses: 16.

Renal metastasis of an ovarian granulosa cell tumour inducing growth of a cystic nephroma.

A 44-year-old woman presented with a large pelvic mass. Pathology revealed a granulosa cell tumour of the left ovary. The patient was followed after surgery with inhibin B levels and interval imaging.